MONROE — Mitch Grossen has likely always had access to fresh pork and a freezer full of it. 

Grossen Hogs has been the family farm for generations, and the family is known for raising pigs on their farm on Middle Juda Road.

But Grossen knows that’s not the case for everyone, and when he had a “runt” in a litter of pigs last year he decided to take the opportunity to raise it along with his own show pigs, and then donated it to the food pantry. 

After caring for the pig, among many others, that decision came to fruition Sept. 18, when Grossen was able to present Green Cares Food Pantry in Monticello with 192 pounds of pork. 

Jeannie Blumer, who runs the pantry, was ecstatic, he said. The bacon, ham, sausage and other pork specialties will go to feed hundreds of people in need.

“Jeannie was great to work with,” Grossen said. “When we took it up there, they were so happy.”

Blumer told Grossen the meat would help feed around 512 people, likely around 200-300 families in need. 

“It felt good that one pig could feed that many families,” he said. 

Last summer, he said he realized there was a runt in one of the litters with weak legs, and the mother stopped caring for it. He took in the pig, fed it and always planned to give it away. 

“We could have kept it for us, but we already had pigs for that,” Grossen said. “Instead of selling it for a low hanging weight—I thought why not just butcher it and give it to people who need food.”

Grossen said he works often alongside his father, Brad, who helped him approach Green County Locker owners Mike and Deena Buol about processing. When they learned what he was doing, they donated all of it. 

“Any time we can help out young people who are being hands on in what they’re doing, that’s a natural fit,” Mike said. “Mitch wasn’t just in the house on the computer — he was working. That’s what we do here.”

Mike said the donation was a good fit because they were processing other pigs at the same time. He said the business donates a lot of different ways throughout the year, but this was one they were happy to jump on board with.

The farm is currently breeding for January piglets, Grossen said. They have one pure bred and one spotted; the rest are crossbred this year.

Along with raising pigs, Grossen has been involved in Monroe FFA since seventh grade. He received gold rankings at state for swine entrepreneurship. He’s also a member of Next Generation 4-H Club. He has been showing at the Green County Fair for about six years and used to show chickens as well. 

Grossen has loved being around pigs since he was a youngster; two years ago, he started his own business called Mitch’s Hog Heaven. The 16-year-old said their family hog farm is where he enjoys waking around 4:30 a.m. to start his morning chores. 

“I’ve been around pigs my whole life,” Grossen said. “My dad and grandpa did it forever — it’s in our blood.”